Sisters Academy At a Glance

Who We Are

Sisters Academy of New Jersey is an independent girls’ middle school, for grades 5-8.

Location

The Academy is located on one acre of land on the west side of Asbury Park, New Jersey.

Enrollment

There are 60 girls in grades 5-8. Students receive individual attention in a highly disciplined learning environment.

Curriculum

The Academy has an extended-day curriculum and an 11-month school year. The extended school day includes two meals, academics, artistic and athletic experiences, group and individual counseling, team building and leadership training.

Class Size

Classes sizes are no more than 16 students per grade.

Faculty to Student Ratio

The ratio is approximately 1:8.

Faculty

There are currently five full-time faculty; one principal; one full-time Director of Social Services; three part-time teachers; one administrative assistant; three adjunct teachers and numerous professional volunteers.

Percent of Faculty with Advanced Degrees

Over 50% of the faculty at the Academy possess a Master’s degree or beyond. All teachers hold educational certification.

High School Placement

100% of our students graduate from high school. Our students attend such competitive high schools as Red Bank Catholic High School Red Bank, NJ; St. Rose High School, Belmar, NJ; Trinity Hall High School, Leonardo, NJ; The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ; George School, Newtown, PA; and Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA, to name a few. Some students attend local public schools as well.

Campus

The Academy is located on one acre of land in the western section of Asbury Park. Students have access to an enclosed green area for recreation and a large raised garden where they can participate in gardening experiences growing vegetables, herbs and flowers and then harvesting them.

Accreditation

Sisters Academy of New Jersey is accredited by the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS). Both of these entities are non-governmental, non-profit, peer administered organizations of diverse educational institutions, committed to the highest quality education for students. The Academy is also a Core Knowledge School and a member of the National Association of Girls’ Schools.

Core Values

Core values of the Academy are Respect, Justice, Compassion, Integrity and Service.

Head of School

Sister Mary Louise Miller, JD, Ph. D. is the Principal of the Academy.

Board of Trustees

Community Involvement

Community involvement is a major component in the education of a young woman at the academy. Students are provided opportunities for service through volunteer work at Mercy Center of New Jersey and in various organizations in the community. Additionally, students return to the Academy during their high school, and even college years, to provide volunteer services to their Alma Mater.

For more information on Sisters Academy please contact:

Our Mission

Our Mission

Sisters Academy of New Jersey is committed to offering girls, from families of limited financial means in the greater Asbury Park area, a well-rounded education of excellence. The education provided to our students will give them access to, and success in, competitive high schools, colleges and universities.

Our Philosophy

The Academy provides an academically challenging and highly disciplined learning environment where students are exposed to various cultural, sporting and educational experiences. Through the dedication of a highly qualified faculty, not only are the New Jersey Common Core Curriculum Standards followed, but they are enhanced through the use of the Core Knowledge Curriculum, integrated group counseling and a Life Skills Program for both students and parents.

By offering our students this education of excellence, combined with a full family focus, the cycle of poverty will be broken and its immediate effects will be eradicated. Our students will become people who, throughout their lifetime, become agents of systemic change and role models who break the cycle of poverty in their own lives and in the lives of others who face similar challenges.

The Academy provides students with a variety of opportunities and experiences that prepare them for higher education while enabling them to continually strive for educational and personal excellence. Students are challenged to think critically, communicate effectively, effectuate systemic change in themselves and in society, develop a sense of social and moral justice, and to ultimately live accordingly.

Our History

Sisters Academy of New Jersey opened its doors in September 1997. In 2001, the Academy graduated its first class.
Recently, the academy celebrated the opening of a new school addition. Thanks to the generosity of many donors, the new Sisters Academy addition has:

Sisters Academy continues to provide young women with an excellent education; however, the school is still in need of additional funds to ensure the educational success of the students. For information on donation opportunities, click here.

Our Core Values

The Academy community fosters growth of its students by teaching and living the Academy Core Values of respect, integrity, service, justice and compassion. These core values are rooted in Christian teachings and the value base of the Sisters of Mercy. The Academy both models and teaches non-violent conflict resolution and has created a safe and peaceful educational environment in which its students and faculty explore the academic world.

Respect

Choosing to accept what may be perceived as different without passing judgment.Choosing to appreciate social and cultural differences as strengths that enable people to work together.

Integrity

Choosing to be true and honest in all circumstances; living one’s highest version of self. Choosing to base one’s actions on a consistent set of principles and values at all times.

Justice

Choosing to be a catalyst for social justice to ensure that all human beings are treated respectfully and equally.Choosing peace for myself and the world.

Compassion

Choosing to listen with an open heart, empathize with others and perform acts of kindness that alleviate suffering.Choosing to aid the planet and other’s needs.

Service

Choosing to act when a need is perceived by using one’s skills, ingenuity and experience to create benefit.Choosing to accept that in life, we are all servers and served.

Accreditation

Sisters Academy of New Jersey is accredited by the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS). Both of these entities are non-governmental, non-profit, peer administered organizations of diverse educational institutions committed to the highest quality education for students. The Academy is also a Core Knowledge School and a member of the National Association of Girls’ Schools.